Time to celebrate again
Nelson locals and visitors alike are ready to celebrate as events return to the region en masse – and the economy is set for a $15 million boost as the flow-on effects spread through the region’s businesses.
It comes after the 2021-22 summer was marred by event cancellations due to restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
But with all restrictions now lifted, the region is kicking off a busy season, with more than 22 events scheduled between now and the end of April.
Nelson Regional Development Agency chief executive Fiona Wilson said events pumped more than $15m into the region’s economy each year. ‘‘I don’t think we truly realised the full value until the events weren’t there.’’
The NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show at St Arnaud in March would bring about $1.9m to the region, Wilson said, but even events like the Central Stags Twenty20 cricket game in January would bring a $500,000 boost to the economy.
On Saturday, about 1800 people were at Founders Heritage Park for the NZ Cider Festival. Event director Shelley Haring, who also runs the Marchfest beer festival, said everyone was thrilled to be out enjoying crowds again.
‘‘People are just really amped to get out and about, especially if the sunny summer continues. I just think it’s going to be fantastic for the region.’’
Based on early bird sales, Marchfest was shaping up to be ‘‘huge’’, Haring said, and after the disappointment of cancelling last year, she was feeling optimistic about the season ahead.
Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ali Boswijk said that with many hospitality providers struggling to fill vacancies this year, people might need to be patient and accept slightly longer waits, but it was also important for people to get back out supporting businesses.
Along with the ‘‘massively important’’ impact to the economy, the benefit to the community of having events back couldn’t be underestimated, Boswijk said. ‘‘People love to celebrate, and we need to celebrate.’’
Nelson MP Rachel Boyack encouraged students returning from university for summer to get in touch with hospitality and tourism operators now to try to ease the staffing pressure on those businesses, particularly as the country waited for people on working holiday visas to start returning. ‘‘We are going to need bodies on the ground.’’